Vegan Leather from Pineapple Leaves: Sustainable Materials Not Just for Celebrities

What image comes to mind when you think of sustainable products? While the advantage of being environmentally friendly is likely to pop up, you might also associate them with being "expensive" or "inferior in durability and quality" compared to conventional products.

The textile fashion industry is known for its high environmental impact. In the realm of leather, the goal is to offset the drawbacks of these alternative products while considering the environmental impact by utilizing plant-based leather (vegan leather) that does not originate from animals or petroleum.

We spoke with PEEL Lab, a Japan-based startup pioneering the field of vegan leather.

Making Leather from Pineapple Leaves

Every year in Paris, Viva Technology (commonly known as Viva Tech), a tech trade show that leads in technological innovations, is held in May. This year, 2024, startups from all over the world gathered with various innovative ideas. PEEL Lab, which featured Japan's traditional randoseru (school backpacks) at its booth, was among them.